It was clear from the very beginning that rapper Nipsey Hussle was going to make it a priority to talk about investing in South Los Angeles.

In what is perhaps his first on-camera interview, at the Russell Simmons’ Get Your Money Right summit in 2006, Hussle spoke plainly about leaving behind the material things synonymous with hip-hop lifestyle — the diamonds, the flashy cars — to secure the financial future of his family and people in his community.

“How come you not blingin‘ and having all kind of crazy diamonds and all that,” hip-hop journalist Davey D asked Hussle, who if you squint and think back to 1993, might remind you of a young Snoop Dogg. “I guess you here to get your money, right?”

“I’d rather invest in some real estate,” Hussle said.

“So you trying to get land?” Davey D asked.

“Exactly, homie, a real asset to take care of my people,” Hussle said matter-of-factly.